THUNDER BAY — The popular Doors Open program returns to Thunder Bay this coming weekend with a focus on the area's roots in agriculture.

Sixteen different locations in the city and rural area are available for free in-person visits between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10.

"Choose your own adventure. Look at the sites and choose the ones that speak to you," says Lori Abthorpe, Doors Open Thunder Bay coordinator.

One of the tour sites is the Chapple Building on Victoria Avenue, the former headquarters of the Canadian Grain Commission.

It was built in 1913.

The bottom two floors were rented to the Chapples Company which used the space as a department store.

The building retains many of its original finishes and features.

Another location on the tour is the N.M. Paterson building at 1918 Yonge St., now the headquarters of TBT Engineering.

Norman Paterson's pursuits in the grain-trade industry brought him to Fort William in 1908.

The event tour guide notes that his successes saw this property develop from a small building, wooden grain elevator, workhouse, and dock into the headquarters of a vast grainhandling and steamship firm.

Visitors can tour the 1950's era boardroom, see photos of the former elevators and artifacts from Paterson Shipping, take in a model ship display, and visit the beautifully restored Paterson Sailors Memorial Park.

For the first time, this year's tour includes rural locations such as the Stanley Hill Bison Farm, Rural Heritage Days at Highway 130 and Piper Road (note that there is a $10 parking fee per vehicle,) and St. Benedict's Church at Highway 61 and Boy Scout Rd. in the Municipality of Neebing.

A full list of the tour sites is available here. 

People unable to participate in person have the option of taking a digital tour of some of the locations.

Doors Open Thunder Bay is held every other year.

It is facilitated by the Heritage Advisory Committee under the supporting partnership of Doors Open Ontario and the Ontario Heritage Trust.